Women make up half the bodies in the solar system. Why not half the scientists?

Undergraduate Students

Welcome to the Undergraduate Student section of the Women in Planetary Science Blog! This is a forum where undergraduate women pursuing careers in planetary science can share opportunities, ask questions, and have an open space to discuss issues that are pertinent to young women in this field. We will continually update the page with opportunities such as scholarships, internships and research programs. Women should feel free to contribute, asking questions and bringing up new topic points for discussion, we are here to support each other and make sure that we get the most out of our planetary passions!

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Astrobotic is looking for full-time (paid) interns to join our R&D team this summer. We are flexible to remote work given the current situation. In particular, we’re looking for students (undergrad or graduate) with software skills and prior experience developing lunar terrain models (DEMs) from LRO and other data sources. These terrain models are used to perform landing site assessment, generate maps for our lander’s precision landing sensor and lunar simulation tools, and plan rover routes. Our DEM tools are based around the Ames Stereo pipeline so prior experience with that would be a plus, but experience with other photogrammetry software (e.g., SOCET SET) would be equally valuable. The work would directly contribute to Astrobotic’s first lunar mission, which is scheduled for July 2021.

The goal of the Lloyd V. Berkner Space Policy Internship is to provide
promising undergraduate and graduate students with the opportunity to
work in the area of civil space research policy in the nation’s
capital, under the aegis of the National Academies of Sciences,
Engineering, and Medicine’s Space Science Board. The summer program is
open to undergraduate only (application deadline February 3). The
autumn program is open to undergraduate and graduate students
(application deadline June 1). Additional information about the
program, including application procedure, can be found at:

The Summer Exploration Internship Program is a new initiative of the Institute for Earth and Space Exploration at the University of Western Ontario, Canada (http://space.uwo.ca). This program will provide Canadian and international undergraduate students with an opportunity to perform cutting-edge, hands-on research on a range of topics in an interdisciplinary environment. Students will work on a combination of interdisciplinary team-based research projects and focused individual research projects with faculty mentors, with their time divided approximately equally between the two. All 4 of the team-based projects relate either directly or indirectly to lunar exploration.

APPLICATIONS FOR SUMMER UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM FOR PLANETARY RESEARCH (SUPPR) BEING ACCEPTED

The Summer Undergraduate Program for Planetary Research, or SUPPR, is an eight-week summer internship providing undergraduates majoring in geology and related sciences with an opportunity to participate in NASA planetary geosciences research. Students work under the direction of a NASA-sponsored planetary science investigator at various science institutions.

The program is designed to help students gain educational experience in their fields of study while contributing to NASA missions and science.

Request a summer intern:
Mentors can request an intern by submitting a research project using the online application form.

Mentors should describe the project for which the intern will apply and any necessary skills the intern needs to have. The deadline for this request is the same as the deadline for the undergraduate application. Deadline is Jan 31st.

Mentor Responsibilities:

Supervise the student for 8 weeks during the summer (dates to be determined between the mentor and the intern)
Help the student locate local and affordable housing
Help the student develop an LPSC-style abstract at the end of the internship
For more information, visit the SUPPR website at https://www.lpi.usra.edu/suppr/.

I am a French International undergraduate student with Theoretical Physics background + 6 months research experience in Astrophysics in Mauna Kea, and am currently pursuing an undergraduate degree at the University College London (UCL) in Earth Sciences with Planetary Sciences. I am giving emphasis to my degree on as much instrumentation as I can as well as space missions but am extremely interested in understanding how to look from above to the multiple surface processes that are characteristic to the Earth in order to compare it to the other planets we know. I seek to have further experience in remote sensing and problem solving and am looking for an internship with someone that would be ready to give me 20 minutes a day to guide me in helping them with their ongoing project. I am also open to other offers relevant to the Planetary Science or Physics topics. Finally, I am financially independent and an interesting arrangement between both parties could be met. Thank you very much for your attention.

Research team based in UK and co-supervised by researchers in CalTech
and SETI. Mars has widespread deposits of sand-sized sediments forming
significant wind-blown dune fields of various typologies and scales.
Understanding the dynamics of surface atmospheric boundary layers is
therefore paramount in examining Mars’ landform dynamics.

Most research efforts have focussed on Mars atmospheric circulation at
very large scales using Global Climate Models (GCMs). Temporal and
spatial scales of these models are good first principles in
understanding atmospheric-surface interactions, but are much too coarse
when trying to understand surface landform dynamics.

Recent efforts have employed
microscale computational fluid dynamics modelling to investigate
atmospheric surface interactions and dune surface changes. Several
state-of-the-art numerical atmospheric modelling tools will be used,
including a Mars GCM, a regional Mars mesoscale climate model, and a
computational fluid dynamics model (OpenFOAM). Geospatial and
geomorphic analysis of relevant spacecraft imagery and other
observational data will be used to constrain and validate the modelling
results.

Overall objective: to combine macro- to meso- to micro-scale
airflow modelling for a more realistic modelling of meter-scale airflow
involved in the time-evolution of aeolian features on Mars.
Full info and deadlines:

Applications are invited for PhD students to study space plasma regions
of fundamental importance, such as magnetic reconnection sites, shocks,
turbulence regions, ionospheres and kinetic processes there. We are
looking for students in each of the following science topics:

1. Characterization of energy conversion and identification of the
mechanisms of particle acceleration operating in turbulent layers
formed at fronts of plasma jets, based on experimental data from the
NASA multi-spacecraft MMS mission.

2. Understanding of electron heating and energetic electron generation
at collisionless shocks, in particular resolving the mechanisms of the
non-adiabatic processes using MMS data.

3. Understanding Saturn’s ionosphere and the influence of the rings on
the ionization balance using models and data acquired during the Grand
Finale of the NASA Cassini mission.

Are you an undergraduate science and engineering student interested in
pursuing a career with NASA? Would you like to gain skills, knowledge,
and competency in NASA mission protocols, procedures, and practices?

NASA’s Lucy Mission to Jupiter’s Trojan Asteroids is currently
accepting applications for its new student collaboration program –
the Lucy Student Pipeline Accelerator and Competency Enabler (L’SPACE)
Virtual Academy. This interactive, team-based, 12-week program is
designed to engage a diverse population of college/university science
and engineering students in rigorous, project-based STEM workforce
development.

– Learn from engineers and scientists working on NASA missions;
– Participate and apply what you learn in mission-related design challenges;
– Strengthen your resume for internship and career opportunities;
– Receive mission development skills training;
– Acquire strategies to help you effectively market your capabilities
to NASA and other space-related companies and organizations; and
– Gain helpful insights into the developing space economy workforce
demands and opportunities.

PhD position at the University of Hull in computational chemistry/astrochemistry (dusty interstellar ices)

This project will focus on predicting vibrational signatures of carbon-rich molecules embedded in the ice surface of interstellar dust grains. This will shed light on the nature of the mysterious diffuse interstellar bands that have puzzled astronomers for nearly a century and help develop better chemical networks models. The structural complexity of amorphous ice requires high-performance computing to describe its disordered interaction network. Access to one of the country’s most powerful supercomputers will allow the successful candidate to combine accurate quantum chemical methods with a periodic density functional theory, providing a unique way to compute interactions and vibrational signatures. New high-end data visualisation techniques will be developed with our industry partners.

The Space Exploration Sector of The Johns Hopkins University Applied
Physics Laboratory (JHU APL) in Laurel, MD is now accepting
applications for the APL NASA Intern Program. Rising sophomores through
Ph.D. students as of fall 2018 who are selected will contribute to
NASA-related missions and research work. Talks by key mission engineers
and scientists, along with tours of APL and other activities, will be
provided. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, be in high academic
standing (3.0 GPA or higher), and have successfully passed a background
check. Application opens December 15, 2017 and applications are due by
March 30th, 2018; however, selections are made on a continuous basis,
so interested students should apply as early as possible. For more
information, please visit:

Brooke Owens Fellowship program is open for its second year — with internships with aerospace and aeronautical companies for promising women getting their undergraduate degree in in aerospace and space science and aeronautical fields.http://www.brookeowensfellowship.org/
Applications due Dec 5.

Hello!
I’m searching for a researched-based Geology masters program that specializes in planetary geology! This blog has been incredibly helpful for starting my search, but a lot of the great planetary geology programs are for PhDs, which I’m not qualified for (yet 😉 ). I’m specifically interested in surface processes and tectonics. Any advice is appreciated!!

Wesleyan University has funding for a student to complete a Ph.D. in
the Department of Chemistry with a Concentration in Planetary Science.
The program of study will be tailored to include a relevant geoscience
curriculum. The proposed project is to create a series of Mars
analogue brines and precipitate them under terrestrial and martian
conditions in a Mars chamber. Visible – near-infrared spectra of the
precipitates will then be compared to similar data collected in Mars
orbit. The research will be under the tutelage of Prof. Gilmore in the
Dept. of Earth and Environmental Sciences. The opening is available for
Fall of 2017. Please apply to the Chemistry Department at:

APL is looking for the next generation of explorers! The 2017 APL NASA
Intern Program provides unique opportunities for university students
to work on NASA missions or other space-related research projects. The
internship program runs 10 weeks in the summer and applications are
due March 26; however, selections are made on a continuous basis, so
interested students should apply as early as possible. More information
is available at:

Please find below the links to a PhD position opening in Laboratory Astrochemistry at the HIMS Institute of the University of Amsterdam.

The PhD project is part of a Dutch Astrochemistry Network program involving astrochemical and astrophysical experiments, quantum chemical calculations, and laboratory spectroscopy of astronomically relevant species in combination with an active program on modeling and observations of astronomical sources. This PhD project focusses on the experimental research.

The intended start date will be March 2017. Candidates with an affiliation to experimental molecular physics or experimental astrochemistry are particularly encouraged to apply. Applications may be submitted as explained in the full description of the project (see link below).

Please forward this to potential applicants and relevant institutions.

Most efforts to date have focussed on Mars atmospheric circulation at
very large scales, with Global Climate Models being the primary
guidance. The temporal and spatial scales these models are operating at
are good first principles in understanding atmospheric-surface
interactions – however, they are much too coarse when we are trying to
comprehend how surface landforms such as dunes are (or have been)
moulded into modern forms. Understanding aeolian processes must be
approached at a spatial scale of much less than the length of a dune
to properly assess for example patterns of dune evolution.

This fully funded 3-year PhD studentship, based between Ulster
University (N. Ireland) and the Carl Sagan Centre (USA) will use
several state-of-the-art numerical atmospheric modelling tools,
including a Mars GCM, a regional Mars mesoscale climate model, and a
computational fluid dynamics model. Geospatial and geomorphic analysis
of relevant spacecraft imagery and other observational data will also
be used to constrain and validate modelling results.

We are recruiting excellent undergraduates for our PhD program in
Astronomy and Planetary Science at Northern Arizona University. Our
department is rapidly growing, and our new PhD students will join
students, postdocs, and faculty working on telescopic observations of
our Solar System and other planetary systems; spacecraft explorations
of Mars and other bodies in our Solar System; “big data” science, in
preparation for LSST; and astrophysical laboratory experiments, among
other topics. We enjoy unparalleled telescope access and rich
collaborations with neighboring institutions Lowell Observatory and
the US Geological Survey/Astrogeology Branch.

Flagstaff is a beautiful four seasons mountain town that is surrounded
by national forest; nearly every kind of outdoor activity takes place
within minutes of downtown’s excellent food/coffee/beer/art scene.

Applications are due January 15, but preference will be given to
applications that are received by January 1. For more information,
including list of current faculty and their research interests, as
well as how to apply to our program, please see

LPI Now Accepting Applications for 2017 Summer Intern Program in Planetary Science
Deadline: January 6, 2017

The Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) invites undergraduates with at least 50 semester hours of credit to experience cutting-edge research in the lunar and planetary sciences.

Summer interns will work one-on-one with a scientist at the LPI or at the NASA Johnson Space Center on a research project of current interest in lunar and planetary science. Furthermore, they will participate in peer-reviewed research, learn from top-notch planetary scientists, and preview various careers in science.

The 10-week program begins June 5, 2017, and ends on August 11, 2017. Selected students will receive a $5675.00 stipend; in addition, U.S. students will receive a $1000.00 travel stipend, and foreign nationals will receive a $1500.00 foreign travel reimbursement.

Applications are only accepted via the electronic application form found at the LPI’s website:

Seeking Students to Participate in a New Research Project on Inclusive Geoscience Field Experiences: Are you interested in participating in both national and international field-based research? Current geoscience students are being recruited to participate in a new research project.

The Department of Astronomy at the University of Texas at Austin, in conjunction with McDonald Observatory is pleased to announce that it will host its first annual summer undergraduate research experience for undergraduate astronomy and/or physics students in the summer of 2016. TAURUS, or Texas Astronomy: University Research experience for Undergraduate Students, is a nine week program that will introduce undergraduate students to basics of astronomical research through individually designed projects and one-on-one mentorship.http://www.as.utexas.edu/~taurus/

A two-year research contract will start in early 2016 at the Laboratoire
de Physique Atmosphérique et Planétaire (Liège University, Belgium).
We are looking for a postdoc to work on a new project on the Martian
atmosphere in relation with the Mars Express and the upcoming
TGO/EXOMARS ESA’s missions. The candidate should be familiar with
analysis of optical observations related to emission and absorption of
radiation in terrestrial planets’ atmospheres. If you know of researcher(s)
who could be interested by this position, please contact JC Gerard
(at jc.gerard at ulg.ac.be).

The goal of the Lloyd V. Berkner Space Policy Internship is to provide
promising students with the opportunity to work in the area of civil
space research policy in the nation’s capital, under the aegis of the
Space Science Board of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering,
and Medicine. The summer 2016 program is only open to undergraduates.
The deadline for applications is February 5. Candidate(s) selected for
will be contacted no later than March 4. Additional information about
the program, including application procedure, can be found at:

The department of Earth Systems Analysis, ITC Netherlands, has a PhD position in TIR spectroscopy at the moment. We invite applications for a fully-funded 4-year PhD position to study the Influence of geologic sample surfaces on TIR spectroscopy.
The research is going to study sample preparation, sample orientation as well as crystallographic orientations in the sample, and their influences on TIR spectroscopic results.
Interested candidates are invited to apply before January 1st 2016. The selection criteria and the employment conditions as well as instructions on how to apply can be found here:https://www.utwente.nl/en/organization/careers/vacancies/!/vacature/563832

MS and PhD student opportunities in volcano seismo-acoustics at the University of California, Santa Barbara
From: Robin Matoza
******************************************************************************

The Department of Earth Science at the University of California, Santa Barbara is accepting applications to the graduate geophysics program in the areas of volcano seismology, infrasound, and seismo-acoustics to begin Fall 2016. Research will involve the collection, analysis, and data-driven modeling of seismic and acoustic waveform datasets at multiple volcanoes. Successful applicants will be guaranteed 5 years (PhD) and 2 years (MS) of support through TA and research activities, contingent on satisfactory progress. For more information and to discuss potential projects, please contact Prof. Robin Matoza (matoza@geol.ucsb.edu). The application deadline is 3 January.http://www.geol.ucsb.edu/education/graduate/admissions

I am seeking good students for NSF-funded MS work on ultrahigh-pressure eclogites from North Qaidam, western China. The research will involve zircon U-Pb geochronology + trace element analysis, P-T estimation using combined trace element (Zr-in-rutile thermometer), thermodynamic modeling, and conventional approaches, and trace element analyses of major minerals to connect P-T to age. Please encourage students with a strong interest and background in petrology and tectonics to apply to CWU (Feb. 1 application deadline); interested students should contact me for more information (mattinson@geology.cwu.edu). I will be at GSA this year and would be happy to meet with interested students.

The Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) invites undergraduates with at least 50 semester hours of credit to experience cutting-edge research in the lunar and planetary sciences.

The deadline for application is January 8, 2016.

Summer interns will work one-on-one with a scientist at the LPI or at the NASA Johnson Space Center on a research project of current interest in lunar and planetary science. Furthermore, they will participate in peer-reviewed research, learn from top-notch planetary scientists, and preview various careers in science.

The 10-week program begins June 6, 2016, and ends on August 12, 2016. Selected students will receive a $5675.00 stipend; in addition, U.S. students will receive a $1000.00 travel stipend, and foreign nationals will receive a $1500.00 foreign travel reimbursement.

Applications are only accepted via the electronic application form found at the LPI’s intern website:

The Blue Marble undergraduate essay contest for 2015 is nearing a close, with submissions due this September 30th. See details below and at http://www.bmsis.org/essaycontest.
Undergrad and passionate about space exploration? Give it a shot!
—
Mars is on the horizon for future space explorers, with national space agencies as well as private corporations making plans to send humans to the red planet in the coming decades. Meanwhile, remote exploration of Mercury, Venus, and the asteroid belt continues to escalate, which provides insight into the history and resources of the inner solar system. Our planetary neighbors are closer to our reach than ever before, but the long-term exploration of space remains expensive, risky, and uncertain.
The Blue Marble Space Institute of Science invites undergraduate students to address this theme by responding to the question: How can human civilization develop a successful strategy for the sustained exploration of the inner solar system for the next 200 years? The purpose of the essay contest is to stimulate creative thinking that explores how human space exploration will affect humanity’s future.
We invite essays from undergraduate students between the ages of 18 to 30. To be eligible, each applicant must have been enrolled in a degree program at a qualified educational institution (2-year or 4-year college/university) in at least one term during the 2015 calendar year. Applicants should limit their essays to 1500 words or less. The deadline for essay submission is 30 September 2015 at 5:00 PM US Pacific time. Essays will be assessed based on scientific accuracy, originality, and writing style.
The author of the winning essay will receive a $500 prize and will be invited to present his or her ideas in an episode of the “BlueSciCon” podcast series as well as lead a discussion on SAGANet.org. The winning essay will also be considered for publication in a scientific journal or magazine with a commentary by an acclaimed journalist and author. Two honorable mention prizes of $200 each will also be awarded.
Essays will be judged by an expert panel of BMSIS research scientists as well as a group of outside judges of esteemed scientists and writers. Essay winners will be announced on 17 December 2015.
Submit your essay to: essaycontest@bmsis.org

* Note the positions will be listed for business and related majors and will not be visible until Sept 21.

General position description: NASA invites students working towards degrees in journalism, communications, media relations, science/technology writing, interactive media, or broadcast journalism, to participate in our science storytelling program – before you graduate. You’ll gain on the job experience as you work with a leading team of writers and multimedia producers to create and share content from some of NASA’s most exciting missions: mind-blowing results from the Hubble Space Telescope; breaking solar storm news and the emerging field of space weather; new views of the moon from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter; and stories of our changing planet from NASA’s Earth observing fleet of satellites. Our internships are designed to give students broad exposure to the many moving parts of our busy newsroom. Students wishing to explore the intersection between print, web, broadcast journalism and social media environments are particularly encouraged to apply.

About the Pathways Program: The NASA Pathways Intern Program provides students with the opportunity to explore NASA careers and gain meaningful developmental work experience. The Goddard Space Flight Center’s Pathways Intern Program uses a cooperative education model — a work/study program where students can gain valuable work experience while completing your degree requirements.

How to Apply: One of the unusual things about this position is it is a federal position and requires application through USA jobs. You basically fill out an online form and attach your resume. These slots are listed as “business student trainee” and are part of a group of student positions. Note detailed descriptions of the work are not posted on the site. To apply, follow the link, carefully check out the requirements (e.g. must maintain GPA of 2.9 on 4.0 scale), fill out the online form and upload your resume. For best consideration, please make sure to include detailed information about (and links to) your relevant work. If you are not familiar with the USA jobs site, give yourself a couple of hours to fill out the application. Don’t wait till the last minute.

A 4-year PhD position is open at the Institute of Marine and
Atmospheric research Utrecht (IMAU) and the Department of Earth
Sciences, Utrecht University, the Netherlands. The goal is to
investigate the full life cycle of meteoritic carbon under irradiation
with high energy UV light. Measurements will be carried out using
analytical techniques including NanoSIMS, SEM, CRDS, IRMS and other
gas chromatographic techniques. Therefore the project requires a
scientist with extraordinary experimental skills and interest and the
capabilities to evaluate and interpret the results from multiple
different analytical instruments.

The Department of Earth and Life Sciences at VU University Amsterdam,
is offering a fully funded four-year PhD studentship focused on
providing new constraints on the structure and evolution of the crust
of Mars. The studentship is fully funded by a NWO (Netherlands
Organisation for Scientific Research) User Support Programme Space
Research grant. Within this international project you will collaborate
with researchers at the University of Lyon, the University of Toulouse
and at the IPGP (Institut de Physique du Globe) in Paris, France.
Candidates need to have completed a MSc degree in the field of
planetary science, physics, geophysics, geology, or similar relevant
field. There is no constrain on citizenship, all applications are
welcomed.

A 4-year PhD position in impact modeling is open at the Department of
Physics, University of Helsinki, Finland as a part of the Academy of
Finland funded project entitled: “Composition of dark asteroids – are
asteroid collisions responsible for observed compositional mismatch in
main asteroid belt?”¨

Requirements:

– MSc or equivalent in geology, (geo)physics, or planetary science no
later than September 1, 2015.
– Fluent English.
– Previous numerical modeling experience.
– Experience with impact modeling and knowledge of iSALE code is an
advantage.

Benefits:

– Work in a young enthusiastic team at one of the leading Nordic
universities.
– Opportunity to conduct state-of-art research in planetary science.
– Full social benefits according to the Finnish social care system.
– Salary in the range of EUR 2500-2900.

How to apply:

Send the following items to PI Tomas Kohout (tomas.kohout at helsinki.fi)
no later than August 2, 2015:
– Motivation letter describing your research interests and previous
study/research history.
– CV and publication list.
– Copy of MSc thesis and MSc diploma.

Successful candidate will be informed latest August 6. The appointment
will start on September 1, 2015.

2016 Vatican Observatory Summer School in Castel Gandolfo is focused on Water in the Solar System and Beyond, and is aimed at upper-level undergraduates and “early” graduate students. Applications due late October.

The SETI Institute, with support of the NASA Astrobiology Institute,
offers travel grants for undergraduate and graduate students to attend
the IAU 2015 meeting in Honolulu, HI. Awards limited to students
making oral or poster presentations on themes related to the search
for life in the universe: astrobiology, exoplanets, planetary systems,
and bioastronomy. To apply, go to:

The goal of the Lloyd V. Berkner Space Policy Internship is to provide promising undergraduate and graduate students with the opportunity to work in the area of civil space research policy in the nation’s capital, under the aegis of the National Research Council’s Space Science Board and Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board. The autumn program is open to undergraduate and graduate students. Candidate(s) selected for the summer and autumn programs will be contacted no later than 3 July, respectively. Additional information about the program, including application procedure, can be found at http://sites.nationalacademies.org/SSB/ssb_052239.

USRA is now accepting applications for the 2015 USRA Undergraduate Scholarship Awards.

These are awards made to undergraduate students who have shown a career interest in science or engineering with an emphasis on space research or space science education. These Scholarship Awards have been established to honor individuals who have made contributions to science, the US Space Program, and to the education of young scientists and engineers in space science related fields.

Up to four Scholarship Awards are available in amounts of $2000 each. Awards are for one year only, but recipients may re-apply for a second year. All scholarship awards will be paid directly to the recipients. Applicants must be undergraduates within two years of receiving a B.S. in a field of science and engineering, including life science and science education, by the time the award is received in the Fall of 2015.

The Space Exploration Sector at the Johns Hopkins University’s Applied
Physics Laboratory in Maryland is a world-class center of planetary and
space research and robotic space exploration. We are seeking a student
intern to help with a Mercury global mapping project this summer, using
MESSENGER data. The successful candidate must be a self-starter with
excellent ArcGIS mapping skills.

Program details:
– 10 week summer program (June 1 – August 8, 2015)
– Candidate requirements:
* GPA of 3.0 or above
* US Citizenship
* Must be a sophomore, junior, senior, or first or second year
graduate student as of Fall 2015
– Students will receive a stipend and will be provided with housing and
meals for the duration of the program.

This is a short-notice opportunity – if interested, please send the
following NO LATER THAN 12 noon EST, Wednesday, April 29, 2015 to
Dr. Louise Prockter at Louise.Prockter at jhuapl.edu:

(1) a resume
(2) a one-paragraph summary describing your qualifications and why you
would like the position
(3) a contact phone number

PhD fellowship available in the field of the origin of planetary systems: “Investigating the formation conditions of Jupiter’s satellites in the context of the ESA L-class mission JUICE”

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Applications are invited for a 3-year PhD fellowship based jointly at the Laboratoire d’Astrophysique de Marseille (Aix-Marseille University, France), the Physikalisches Institute (Universität Bern, Switzerland) and the Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris (University of Paris 7, France). The position comes with a full salary and social security benefits for the duration of the fellowship, funded by Aix-Marseille University. There will also be funds available for travel and computing.

The position is available immediately, but the start date can be extended to 15 October 2015 at the latest. Interested candidates are invited to apply by sending i) a one-page statement on their scientific interests and research experience, ii) a curriculum vitae and iii) a copy of academic transcripts to the email address olivier.mousis@lam.fr. Letters of recommendations are also welcome.

The review of applications will begin on 1 April 2015, but late applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

General Scientific Background: the JUICE mission has been selected in late 2013 by the European Space Agency as the next major exploration mission of the outer solar system. Because the launch of the JUICE mission is planned in 2022, the ESA member states, whose experiences have been selected as part of the payload, now initiate important collaborations to carry out their instrument developments. JUICE will aim to explore the system of Jupiter and its satellites to provide constraints on its formation conditions. In this context, we have established a collaboration centered around the instrument PEP (Particle Environment Package, Co-P.I. Peter Wurz) with the objective to determine i) the chemical composition of the volatile species and their abundances in the exospheres of satellites and ii) the isotopes of the main molecules. These data allow to infer the conditions of formation of these objects.

Objectives of the thesis: We propose a thesis based on numerical modeling and whose aim is to compel the formation conditions of Jupiter’s moons via the supply of observational tests that will be measurable via mass spectrometry aboard JUICE. The origin of Jupiter’s moons, discovered by Galileo in 1610, still remains unknown. For example, we still don’t know if these satellites accreted from planetesimals condensed in the accretion disk (subnebula) formed around Jupiter during the last phase of its growth, or if they simply originate from the primitive nebula. The work will then consist in using existing numerical codes to mimic the thermodynamic conditions that would have happened in a subnebula from which the satellites of Jupiter have potentially formed. Once the subnebula model will be constructed, the equilibrium and non-equilibrium gas phase chemistries will be investigated in this environment to obtain constraints on the composition of planetesimals from which the satellites of Jupiter may have agglomerated. This work will be then used to calibrate the specifications of the mass spectrometer in the construction phase for JUICE to perform the critical measurements that will allow disentangling between the different scenarios. The PhD student will benefit from the expertise of Prof. Olivier Mousis and Prof. Sébastien Charnoz for modeling the appropriated thermodynamic, chemical and dynamical conditions in the Jovian subnebula and of Dr. Pierre Vernazza for the study of the origin of refractory materials in satellites. The PhD student will also interact closely with Prof. Peter Wurz to participate in the development of the specifications of the mass spectrometer of Bern and to devise the measurement objectives.

Skills: The proposed topic includes an important modeling component. Good computer skills (FORTRAN programming, using UNIX shells, IDL for data processing, etc) are necessary. Candidate must have strong knowledge in thermodynamics, physics and numerical modeling. The work will be placed among collaborations in an international environment, so a good knowledge of English is required.

Hampton University Dept. of Atmospheric and Planetary Science and NASA Exoplanet Systems Science (NExSS) seek energetic explorers looking to conduct cutting-edge research into the past, present and future of planetary atmospheres while pursuing advanced degrees (MS and PhD) in Planetary Science. Successful applicants (rolling deadline until June 1) will join the Living, Breathing Planet team which includes four university partners, NASA, and the National Institute of Aerospace. Our goal is to understand how planets interact with the space environment and parent stars to develop or lose habitable atmospheres over time. As part of NExSS, we are one of sixteen teams building the future of exoplanet studies, and you can be a part of that future. More information and application instructions athttp://sol.hamptonu.edu/?project=the-living-breathing-planet

yearly announcement of a competitive opportunity for US students to work at the SCF_Lab on Satellite / Lunar Laser Ranging (SLR/LLR), as well as other laser ranging applications to the whole solar system.

The deadline is May 3. In the past we hosted students from Colorado School of Mines and UC Berkeley.

The relevant web pages site for the 2015 summer student internship (DoE-INFN program) at INFN-LNF are:

The Gerald A. Soffen Memorial Fund is pleased to announce the first 2015 Travel Grant application opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing studies in fields of space science and engineering.

The Travel Grants, in the amount of $500, enable student recipients to attend professional meetings to present their research. The Spring 2015 Travel Grant application deadline is April 1, 2015. Jerry Soffen, a biologist by training, led a distinguished career in NASA, including serving as the Project Scientist for Viking and as an architect for the NASA Astrobiology Institute. The Travel Grant continues Jerry’s dedication to educating and involving future generations in space science and engineering pursuits. The electronic application materials and instructions are located on the Soffen Fund website:

A fully-funded STFC PhD studentship in Laboratory Astrochemistry is available at UCL in the group of Professor Stephen Price. The proposal was funded as part of a successful consortium proposal in Laboratory Astrochemistry with the University of Sussex (Professor Wendy Brown) and Heriot-Watt University (Professor Martin McCoustra).

The studentship is funded for 36 months and must start by 1 October 2015, but could begin earlier.

The project will involve studying the surface reactions of atoms (e.g. H, O, N) with molecules at low temperatures (down to 15 K). These laboratory experiments aim to reveal and characterize the chemistry that is processing molecules on the surface of the dust grains in interstellar clouds. In recent years it has become apparent that such surface chemistry, in addition to gas-phase chemistry, in these interstellar environments plays an important role in synthesizing several of the molecules observed in the interstellar medium; see, for example, Faraday Discuss., (2014), 168, 9 [DOI: 10.1039/c4fd00140k].

The studentship is open to all UK/EU resident students holding, or hoping to achieve, a First or Upper Second Class Masters in Chemistry, Physics or related disciplines before 1st September 2015. For such students the award will cover both UCL’s fees and provide a stipend of approximately £16,000 pa.

For further information, or to start the application process, please contact Prof Stephen Price at UCL Chemistry:

The Institut fur Planetologie (IfP) at the Westfalische Wilhelms-
Universitat Munster, is offering a three-year PhD position focused on
the development of a database of planetary image data. Candidates need
to have completed a MSc degree in the field of planetary science,
geosciences, geoinformatics/geoinformation, geography, geology, or
similar relevant fields. Starting date is June 1, 2015. There is no
constraint on citizenship; all applications are welcome.

2015 LPSC Undergraduate Presenter’s Travel Stipend
The Lunar and Planetary Institute invites undergraduate students presenting at the 2015 Lunar and Planetary Science Conference to apply for a travel stipend up to the amount of $500. Applicants must be 1) a current undergraduate student, 2) the first author on the abstract they are presenting (oral or poster), and 3) a U.S. citizen. Other eligibility requirements apply. Students presenting for the first time at a professional conference are encouraged to apply. These stipends are funded through the former NASA SMD Year of the Solar System Undergraduate Research Conference program.

Interested students must complete the online application at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/2015UGTraStip. Along with the online application, a brief letter of recommendation (no more than one page) is required from an applicant’s academic/research advisor. Letters of recommendation should be on department/university letterhead and emailed to Andy Shaner at shaner@lpi.usra.edu.

The online application closes at 5:00 pm Central Time, February 27, 2015. Letters of recommendation are also due February 27, 2015. Selected applicants will be notified no later than March 6, 2015. If you have questions, or would like more information, please contact Andy Shaner at 281-486-2163 or shaner@lpi.usra.edu.

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is
offering summer projects for students interested in working on NASA
missions or space-related research opportunities at APL. Details are
available at:

The Mineralogical Society of America announces the 2016 Grants for Student
Research in Mineralogy and Petrology.

The Grants for Student Research in Mineralogy and Petrology are funded by
an endowment created by contributions from the MSA membership. The grant
comprises two awards of up to $5,000 each for research in mineralogy and
petrology. Students, including graduate and undergraduate students, are
encouraged to apply. However, all proposals are considered together. The
award selection will be based on the qualifications of the applicant, the
quality, innovativeness, and scientific significance of the research, and
the likelihood of success of the project. Applicants may not apply for both
this and the MSA Grant for Research in Crystallography in the same year.
The grant is for research-related expenses only.

Proposal submissions for the grant are to be made online. Further
information and application form are available at

Ph.D. Opportunities in Molecular Geomicrobiology at Michigan State University

Application Deadline December 1, 2014

Ph.D. opportunities are available in the molecular geomicrobiology of the deep biosphere in the lab of Matt Schrenk at Michigan State University (East Lansing, MI). The research involves the characterization of microbial ecosystems associated with hydrogen and methane-rich groundwaters and involves multi-disciplinary, international research collaborations. Projects focus on advancing our understanding of the ecology and evolution of microbial communities in the deep biosphere using both molecular and cultivation-based approaches. Research combines bioinformatics analyses of (meta-)genomic and transcriptomic data with field work and laboratory characterization of novel extremophiles. Appropriate applicants with a background in Biology, Earth Sciences, Oceanography, or related disciplines are encouraged to apply. For more information, please see: http://www.schrenklab.com.

Please contact Matt Schrenk (schrenkm at msu.edu) for further information.

The Department of Earth Sciences at VU University Amsterdam, is
offering a four-year PhD studentship focused on providing new
constraints on the structure and evolution of the crust of the Moon.
The studentship is funded by an NWO User Support Programme Space
Research grant. You will collaborate with researchers at ESA’s ESTEC
(European Space Research and Technology Centre) in Noordwijk
(Netherlands) and at the IPGP (Institut de Physique du Globe) in
Paris. Candidates need to have completed a MSc degree in the field of
planetary science, physics, geophysics, geology, or similar relevant
field. Starting date is negotiable, preferably no later than January
2015. There is no constraint on citizenship; all applications are
welcomed.

Opportunities for internships at the American Geophysical Union this summer! We are located in Washington, DC- a great place to network and spend a summer. Specifically, I am looking for an intern to help shape new student programs for Fall Meeting 2014. If you’ve ever thought, “I have a great idea for Fall Meeting,” here’s your chance to help create new initiatives and programs!

“The opening is at Hampton University’s Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences — we offer MS and PhD degrees in Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, and my project could support either of the tracks (i.e., “Atmospheric Sciences” track or “Planetary Science” track). Here’s a link to our website: http://cas.hamptonu.edu/
Contact: kunio.sayanagi@hamptonu.edu

Our objective is to improve cloud-tracking wind measurement methods primarily for planetary mission remote-sensing applications. Currently, there are several approaches to measure wind fields by tracking cloud motions but their performances and characteristics have not been compared side by side in a systematic way. So our study will try to determine what’s working and what’s not. This will involve a large amount of data and extensive image processing, so programming background will be highly desirable.”

The RIS4E node of NASA Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute
has positions open for 5 undergraduate summer interns. Positions are
available at Stony Brook University, the American Museum of Natural
History, Mount Holyoke College, and the University of Winnipeg. The
internships pay a lump sum $8000 stipend for the summer. The application
deadline is March 31, and we’re hoping to notify successful applicants in
early April, so please let your students know about this opportunity right
away. Details can be found athttps://ris4e.labs.stonybrook.edu/jobs/.

From the AstroBetter blog:
As one of the co-ordinators of the Astropy project, I am very happy to announce that Astropy will be participating in the Google Summer of Code (GSoC) 2014 edition! For anyone not familiar with GSoC, it is a program that allows students around the world to spend three months during the summer contributing to an open source project on a full-time basis (the students receive a generous $5,500 stipend from Google for their work). As last year, Astropy is participating in GSoC as a sub-organization in the Python Software Foundation organization. Last year we were able to accept two students to work on Astropy and we will hopefully be able to also take on at least two students this year!

Undergraduate Essay Contest on Preparing for the Distant Future of Civilization
Application Deadline: April 22
The Blue Marble Space Institute of Science invites participants to address this theme by responding to the question: In the next 100 years, how can human civilization prepare for the longterm changes to the Earth system that will occur over the coming millennium? The purpose of the essay contest is to stimulate creative thinking relating to space exploration and global issues by exploring how changes in the Earth system will affect humanity’s future.
The author of the winning essay will receive a $500 prize and will be invited to present his or her ideas in an episode of the Beer with BMSIS podcast series. The winning essay will also be considered for publication in the journal Astrobiology with a commentary by journalist and author Lee Billings. Two honorable mention prizes of $200 each will also be awarded.
Visit http://www.bmsis.org/essaycontest/ for more details.

For the fourth consecutive year, the NASA-sponsored Undergraduate Research Conference will take place Sunday, March 16, from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in conjunction with LPSC 2014 at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center.

Undergraduate and graduate students of all majors are encouraged to apply for a summer or fall 2014 internship at the NASA History Program Office. Students would answer research questions from NASA personnel, journalists, educators, scholars, students, and others from around the world about the archival materials maintained at the History Program Office. Detailed prior knowledge of the aeronautics and space fields is not necessary. However, some basic familiarity and a keen interest with these topics are needed. Students need to have strong research, writing, and editing skills and should have experience with social media. The intern projects are flexible. A typical project may include one or more of the following:
– handling information requests
– conducting research
– writing biographical sketches
– identifying and captioning photos
– writing posts for the NASA history twitter
– writing posts for NASA history Facebook pages
– editing historical manuscripts

Applications are due Feb. 4 for summer internships and June 1 for fall internships. For more information, please see

The Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) invites undergraduates to apply for a summer internship (June 2 through August 8, 2014) where he/she will work one-on-one with a scientist at LPI or at NASA Johnson Space Center on a research project of current interest in lunar and planetary science. Students need to have at least 0 semester hours of credit to participate. Interns will receive a stipend plus travel support. Application deadline is Janurary 17. To apply, please see:

The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is
offering summer projects for students interested in working on NASA
missions or space-related research opportunities at APL. Students
will receive a stipend for the 10-week program, and housing will be
provided. Visit the website for more information and to apply:

Air Force Research Laboratory Scholars Program – Internship Opportunities
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) is currently accepting applications for internship opportunities available at Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Air Force Maui Optical Station (AMOS), Maui, Hawaii. AFRL Scholars Program internships are competitive awards that provide AFRL-related involvement for students to gain degree-relevant, real-world experience while contributing to the operation of an AFRL site and supporting the advancement of DoD missions. Internship opportunities are primarily in the science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines. Selected interns are paid a competitive stipend award amount based on their academic level.

more info:
APS/IBM Research Internships for Undergraduate Women
From: WIPHYS, December 20, 2013

Application deadline is February 1* for the APS and IBM co-sponsored two undergraduate research internship programs. One of the programs is for undergraduate women and another is for underrepresented minorities (African Americans, Hispanics, and Native Americans). A goal of the programs is to encourage women to pursue graduate studies in science and engineering. Both internship programs feature salaried positions at IBM research locations that are typically 10 weeks long and provide an opportunity for interns to work closely with an IBM mentor. The undergraduate women internships are at one of three IBM research locations (San Jose, CA, Austin, TX, or Yorktown Heights, NY). The research internships for underrepresented minorities are at IBM Almaden in San Jose, CA.

I am looking for a study abroad opportunity for undergraduate students for international space policy and law. Is there anything available out there? I’m international relations and Spanish so not very science oriented.

Hi Emily, Sorry for the late reply, maybe you have already found the info you are looking for… I don’t know of any specific study abroad for undergrads – by I do know someone who went to the International Space University and did a masters in space policy, and George Washington Uni. in DC also has a masters program. I know the latter isn’t abroad, but that might be a good place to start and ask questions!

NASA is seeking applications from U.S. graduate students for the agency’s Space Technology Research Fellowships. The research grants, worth as much as $68,000 per year, will coincide with the start of the 2014 fall term.

Applications will be accepted from students pursuing or planning to pursue master’s or doctorate degrees in relevant space technology disciplines at accredited U.S. universities. The grants will sponsor U.S. graduate student researchers who show significant potential to contribute to NASA’s strategic space technology objectives through their studies. To date, NASA has awarded grants to 193 student researchers from 68 universities located in 33 states and one U.S. territory.
The deadline for submitting applications is Nov. 13. For more information and instructions on how to submit applications, visit:

Interested in beginning degree program. how physically challenging is this field? I am currently working 11pm to 7 am, so nights are not a problem, but have arthritis, and won’t be able to do what I have been for much longer. Great interest in this field, and believe i have high aptitude for it. Also curious about avg. payscale. Make @ $90,000/yr. now.

The goal of the Lloyd V. Berkner Space Policy Internship is to provide promising undergraduate and graduate students with the opportunity to work in the area of civil space research policy in the nation’s capital, under the aegis of the National Research Council’s Space Science Board. The autumn program is open to undergraduate and graduate students. The deadline for applications is 7 June. Candidate(s) selected will be contacted no later than 5 July.

antiagingfoodsarticles.com
This is a forum where undergraduate women pursuing careers in planetary science can share opportunities, ask questions, and have an open space to discuss issues that are pertinent to young women in this field.

USRA is accepting applications this summer for the 2013 USRA Undergraduate Scholarship Awards.
-These are awards made to undergraduate students who have shown a career interest in science or engineering with an emphasis on space research or space science education.
– Additional information and a Scholarship Award Information Packet containing an application form are available at http://www.usra.edu/about/outreach/scholarship.
– Applications for Fall 2013 Awards will be accepted up until Aug 1, 2013.

Help Wanted: Web Editor Intern
The Planetary Society is looking for a bright, motivated college student with superb attentiveness to detail who wants hands-on web editing experience.

It is a paid position for about 10 hours a week, the work to be done remotely and to be split over at least two days in the week. (The job cannot be done only on weekends.) Work is available immediately and runs through September 2013, with the possibility of renewal after that.
More details at: http://www.planetary.org/about/help-wanted-web-editor-intern.html

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The Gerald A. Soffen Memorial Fund is pleased to announce the first of two 2013 Travel Grant application opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing studies in fields of space science and engineering.

The Travel Grants, in the amount of $500, enable student recipients to attend professional meetings to present their research. The first 2013 Travel Grant application deadline is April 15, 2013. Jerry Soffen, a biologist by training, led a distinguished career in NASA, including serving as the Project Scientist for Viking and as an architect for the NASA Astrobiology Institute. The Travel Grant continues Jerry’s dedication to educating and involving future generations in space science and engineering pursuits. The electronic application materials and instructions are located on the Soffen Fund website:

Applications for the 2013 CSNR Summer Fellowship Program are now being accepted.

The Center for Space Nuclear Research (CSNR) invites undergraduate and graduate level students to experience cutting-edge research in nuclear power and propulsion technologies through our Summer Fellowship Program. As a CSNR Summer Fellow, you will work as part of a team of students and with scientists at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to complete a research project of current interest to NASA in potential nuclear technology performance. The Summer Fellows program allows participants to experience a real research environment, to learn from top-notch nuclear scientists, and to preview careers in research.

NASA Year of the Solar System Undergraduate Planetary Science Research Conference
Due to the popularity of last year’s conference, the NASA Year of the Solar System (YSS) Undergraduate Planetary Science Research Conference is again being hosted in conjunction with the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference (LPSC) March 18-22, 2013 in The Woodlands, Texas.

The NASA YSS Undergraduate Planetary Science Research Conference will include:
• Panels on “How to Choose the Grad School Right for You,” “Alternative Careers in Science,” and “Women in Planetary Science”
• Poster sessions where students will present their posters to other students and to the scientific community
• “Meeting Mentors,” which will pair students with a scientist for a portion of the LPSC meeting, so students can learn how to engage at a scientific conference
• Opportunities to meet other undergraduate researchers, graduate students, and scientists

Undergraduate students currently conducting research in planetary sciences, astrobiology, and lunar sciences are eligible.

To apply, submit the indication of interest form, which serves as the registration form for the NASA YSS Undergraduate Conference. Applications are due by close of business February 8, 2013.

PHD OPPORTUNITY IN PHYSICAL VOLCANOLOGY (LAVA EROSION MODELING) AT
ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY

I have funding for one Ph.D. student starting in the Fall 2013
semester. This funding is for a research assistantship for at least
2 years, and possibly up to 4 years (either teaching assistantship or
research assistanship), to develop new mathematical computer models
to investigate erosion by flowing lava on the Moon, Mars, and Earth.
I am seeking a student interested in developing model(s) to focus on
modeling mechanical erosion by lava in various planetary environments,
and/or the case of erosion by dense submarine ultramafic komatiitic
basalt lava flows that burrow into and thermo-mechanically erode
water-saturated submarine sea-floor sediments.

If you are interested in this project, I encourage you to apply to
our graduate program. ASU Graduate School applications for the Fall
2013 semester are due on December 15, 2012. For more information,
please go to:

Applications Now Being Accepted for
2012 LPI Summer Intern Program in Planetary Science
Application Deadline: January 18, 2013

The Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) invites undergraduates with at least 50 semester hours of credit to experience research in the planetary sciences. As a summer intern, you will work one-on-one with a scientist either at the LPI or NASA Johnson Space Center on a research project of current interest in planetary science. Furthermore, you will participate in peer-reviewed research, learn from top-notch planetary scientists, and preview various careers in science.

The 10-week program begins June 3, 2013, and ends on August 9, 2013. Selected students will receive a $5000.00 stipend plus a travel stipend of $1000.00 (U.S. students) (foreign nationals will receive a $1500.00 foreign travel reimbursement).

Applications are only accepted via the electronic application form found at the LPI’s Summer Intern Program website:

Just a reminder that nominations for the Pellas-Ryder Best Student
Paper Award are due next Tuesday, January 31, 2012. Please send your
nomination to P-R Nominations Committee Chair David Williams
(David.Williams@asu.edu).

The award is limited to undergraduate and graduate students who are
first authors of a paper published in peer-reviewed scientific
journals between January 1 – December 31, 2011. For full details on
eligibility, go to this website:

The Planetary Geology and Geophysics Undergraduate Research Program (PGGURP) pairs qualified undergraduates with NASA-funded PIs for approximately 8 weeks during the summer.Preference is given to PIs with active funding from the Planetary Geology and Geophysics (PGG) program.

Applicants are sought for a graduate student research assistantship opening in the Department of Physics at Michigan Technological University. The successful applicant will be expected to complete courses and research for a Ph D. in astrophysics while supporting the production of the Astronomy Picture of the Day (APOD) website. Attributes sought in applicants include a desire to produce original research and to effectively communicate science to the public.http://www.phy.mtu.edu/apod/GraduateStudentAssistantship.html

The Center for Space Nuclear Research (CSNR) invites undergraduate and graduate level students to experience cutting-edge research in nuclear power and propulsion technologies through our prestigious Summer Fellowship Program. As a CSNR Summer Fellow, you will work as part of a team of students and with scientists at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) to complete a research project of current interest to NASA in potential nuclear technology performance. The Summer Fellows program allows participants to experience a real research environment, to learn from top-notch nuclear scientists, and to preview careers in research.

Paid Internships in Geoscience and Policy in Washington DC – Apply Now

> The American Geosciences Institute’s Government Affairs Program offers summer and semester internship opportunities for geoscience students (undergraduates and/or Masters students) with an interest in public policy and in how Washington impacts the geoscience community. Interns gain a first-hand understanding of the legislative process and the operation of executive branch agencies while enhancing their writing, research, and web publishing skills. The deadline for online submission of application is March 15, 2012 for the summer interns, April 15, 2012 for the fall intern and October 15, 2012 for the spring 2013 intern.

> Stipends for the interns are generously supported by AGI, the American Association of Petroleum Geologists and the American Institute of Professional Geologists Foundation.

> The American Geophysical Union, the Soil Science Society of America, the American Institute of Physics, the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Chemical Society offer similar internships that may be of interest to geoscience students. Please visit their web sites for more information.

Does anyone know of any travel grants for Undergraduates for LPSC? This will be my first major conference as a first author, and I really want to go. If you ladies have any suggestions, please let me know!

Scroll down to the bottom of this page to see information about the Undergraduate Planetary Science Research Conference — Sunday, March 18, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2012/events/
It says “Some travel support will be available to students who qualify.” plus it is a great program :).

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE FOR UNDERGRADUATES IN ASTROBIOLOGY & PLANETARY
SCIENCE
The SETI Institute is pleased to announce that applications are now
open for the 2012 REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) program
in Astrobiology and Planetary Science. Undergraduate students in fields
such as astronomy, biology, geology, chemistry, and physics are invited
to apply to spend 10 weeks in the San Francisco Bay area working on a
scientific research project in the field of astrobiology or planetary
science. Students receive a stipend, travel, and living expenses.
Applications are due by February 1, 2012.
For more information, visithttp://www.seti.org/reu or contact Cynthia Phillips

NASA Astrobiology Famelab competition 🙂http://astrobiologyfamelab.arc.nasa.gov/
FameLab Astrobiology is a science communication skills-building event! Via four preliminaries and one final competition—spanning January thru April 2012—we invite you to compete to convey your own research or related science concepts. Each contestant has only three minutes….no slides, no charts—just the power of words and anything you can hold in your hands. A panel of experts in both science and science communication will do the judging.

The Space Studies Board’s Lloyd V. Berkner Space Policy Internships are offered twice annually. The summer program is restricted to undergraduates, and the autumn program is open to both undergraduate and graduate students. The deadline for applications for the summer 2012 program is February 3, 2012. Successful candidates will be contacted by March 2, 2012. Applications for the autumn 2012 program will be accepted from April 1, 2012 until June 1, 2012. Successful candidates will be contacted by July 6, 2012. Additional information about the program, including application procedure, can be found at http://sites.nationalacademies.org/SSB/ssb_052239.

The Academy is not a 9-5 summer research internship program. It is a rigorous, immersive experience that will challenge you and push you outside of your comfort zones. It offers participants an intense learning experience that is either Space- or Aeronautics-based. All academy students will be immersed in a NASA environment where they will experience the agency from both inside and outside perspectives. Additionally, added interaction with NASA collaborators in industry and academia will provide unique, exciting and unforgettable summer experience designed to engage and capture students within the NASA family.

The Department of Geosciences at Stony Brook University (Stony Brook, NY) invites applications to its graduate program for Fall 2012, for students wishing to pursue research in planetary science. Research opportunities in planetary geology span several disciplines, including remote sensing, experimental and theoretical geochemistry, experimental petrology, laboratory spectroscopy, and theoretical light scattering studies. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding the magmatic evolution of Mars and the Moon and aqueous alteration of the Martian crust. Facilities and equipment available for pursuing planetary geology studies include a custom-built mid-IR emission spectrometer, a UV-visible-near-IR reflectance spectrometer, a micro-FTIR imaging spectrometer, a micro-Raman imaging spectrometer, a low-temperature experimental geochemistry laboratory, a fully-equipped experimental petrology laboratory capable of simulating conditions from deep within planetary interiors to the surface, a portable thermal imager for field studies, and an image processing facility. Remote sensing studies make use of a variety of instruments orbiting Mars and the Moon, as well as instruments carried on landed missions, notably the Mars Exploration Rovers. For application and program information, visit the following website: http://www.geosciences.stonybrook.edu. Applications are due by January 15, 2012.

Hi Paulina – I don’t know if I can be very helpful, but I’d like to make a suggestion: if you have trouble finding someone to help you with a planetary science thesis topic, you could try to find a project that is more terrestrial, but could be used to understand another planet. For example, there are many scientists who have studied parts of the Atacama Desert as analogs for Mars.

When you are ready to start applying to PhD programs, you would be able to explain in your application essay that you chose that thesis topic because it was relevant to planetary science. Your terrestrial experience should not be a drawback when you apply to graduate school – it shows that you can complete a research project and that you took the initiative to choose a thesis topic that is relevant to your goal to study the planets.
(I hope I’ve kept my English clear – please comment if there is something confusing!)

Hi! My name is Paulina Cortez, and i’m an undergraduate geology student in Chile. First of all, i would like to thank you for this blog, it’s really interesting and helpful, and the contact that can be established through this blog is remarkable.
I’m actually a senior student (10th semester over 12th) and i’m interested in Planetary Science. But our studies in geology are basically terrestrial, and we lake of space knowledge. Actually, i’m attending to some basic courses of astrophysics (as occasional student). But, the possibilities of doing a thesis work in extraterrestrial field are very low, if not none, and i believe this is a very important key for the application to PhD in Planetary Science.
So here is my question, and i hope you can help me a bit: is it possible in the U.S. to hire a chilean undergraduate student under an investigation project, in order to pass this project as a part of a thesis work? A thesis work is what i need to graduate, and i don’t know if the programs described above allow this (i read all of them), but anyway, i’m not a U.S. citizen.
Any recommendations? I’m planning on doing my thesis in 2013, so i still have plenty of time to keep looking in other locations, but i’m really interested in the U.S, not only because of its wide experience in the planetary science field, but because of the opportunities that overcomes by studying there.
Thank you very much for your help, and for the website 😉

Hi Paulina 🙂 You did a good job of describing your situation, I don’t personally know any fellowships that would work for your specific situation but I bet there are some out there. Hopefully someone who does will respond, but it is a great idea to try to do an internship in planetary science. Also, all of the background information you can learn in geology and physics etc. will still help you in the future. Especially a strong math is useful in our field, also programming. It helps if you can keep your goal of planetary science in mind though, and an internship or the like will help you realize how all these other subjects will be useful :).

Hi Paulina- there may be some options a little more locally for you as well. I know Cerro Tololo has a program especially for Chilean students to give them astronomy experience (http://www.ctio.noao.edu/PIA/) and some of the folks there work in the realm of extrasolar planets

The Center for Meteorite Studies at Arizona State University is pleased to announce the 2011 application opportunity for the Nininger Meteorite Award for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing research in meteoritical sciences.

The Nininger Meteorite Award recognizes outstanding student achievement in the meteoritical sciences as embodied by an original research paper. Papers must cover original research conducted by the student and must have been written, submitted, or published between November 16, 2010, and December 15, 2011.

The Gerald A. Soffen Memorial Fund is pleased to announce the final 2011 Travel Grant application opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing studies in fields of space science and engineering.

The Travel Grants, in the amount of $500, enable student recipients to attend professional meetings to present their research. The Fall 2011 Travel Grant application deadline is October 15, 2011. More info: http://nasa-academy.org/soffen/travelgrant/

Hello!!!! I’m a senior in High School, and I’m going to pursue a career in Astronomy, Physics, and Planetary Science….which will all go towards my main goal which is exploratory space science. And my question is are there any scholarships out there for me in Astronomy or Planetary Sciences? because I’m a (girl going to be woman) doing Astronomy etc. which is predominantly a male dominated career. Thank you so much!

Hi Caroline! It is great that you are thinking ahead about these things. I would say check the scholarships that have been posted here to see if they are still available, and also your undergraduate institution should have information about these resources. You might check the schools you are interested in ahead of time, and see if they have any programs for you to start doing research the summer before you even start. My undergraduate, University of Colorado, had such a program when I went. If you need more specific advice feel free to e-mail me at kelsi (dot) singer (at) gmail (dot) com.

AGI’s Government Affairs Program offers summer and semester internship
opportunities for geoscience students (undergraduates and Masters
students) with an interest in public policy and in how Washington
impacts the geoscience community. Interns gain a first-hand
understanding of the legislative process and the operation of executive
branch agencies. They also hone writing, research, and web publishing
skills. Stipends for the interns are generously supported by AGI, the
American Association of Petroleum Geologists and the American Institute
of Professional Geologists Foundation. Interns have the opportunity to
write articles for other publications such as The Professional
Geologist.

I was wondering if any of the planetary scientists on this site could give some advice regarding what classes are the most useful to take as an undergraduate. I’m currently a chemistry major so my big worry is that I will be at a big disadvantage compared to students with physics backgrounds. I just finished Calculus III, should I take differential equations, linear algebra, other? I’ve taken physics I and II, but are there any other physics courses I should try to take (although I may not have the pre-requisites so it may not be possible depending on the class). I’m also assuming an intro geology course would be very helpful.

I just want to make sure I don’t feel behind in a graduate program. I definitely will be looking for faculty whose research is more on the chemistry side of things, so perhaps it won’t matter much?

Fulbright Canada offers a wide range of residential exchange opportunities for American undergraduates, graduate students, and scholars. Of particular interest, I would like to draw your attention to the new program: the Fulbright Canada Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) Awards. The STEM Awards, provided in co-operation with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and six of Canada’s leading research universities, offer US students the opportunity to complete a PhD in science, technology, engineering, or math in Canada. This award, valued at $120K over three years (including tuition, fees, and an annual stipend of $20,000), represents a tremendous opportunity for science, engineering and math students seeking a challenging, world-class academic opportunity.

Field Camp Scholar Award
New award for undergraduate GSA student members to attend summer field camp. Twelve students will be awarded $2,000 each to attend the field camp of their choice based on diversity, economic/financial need, and merit.

The Gerald A. Soffen Memorial Fund is pleased to announce the first of two 2011 Travel Grant application opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing studies in fields of space science and engineering.

The Travel Grants, in the amount of $500, enable student recipients to attend professional meetings to present their research. The first 2011 Travel Grant application deadline is April 15, 2011. Jerry Soffen, a biologist by training, led a distinguished career in NASA, including serving as the Project Scientist for Viking and as an architect for the NASA Astrobiology Institute. The Travel Grant continues Jerry’s dedication to educating and involving future generations in space science and engineering pursuits. The electronic application materials and instructions are located on the Soffen Fund website:

Hello everyone! I’m currently an undergraduate who would like to pursue a career in planetary sciences. I was wondering if anyone could provide me with some information about the career in terms of job outlook, salary, projections etc. I cannot seem to find any information on the internet. After you receive a PhD, is it easy to find a job? Are there many jobs available? What “types” of jobs can you find in the planetary sciences and what are their pros/cons? For example, working for a university vs working for NASA, etc. What are the disadvantages to finishing with a Masters as opposed to a PhD. Is it a good career for a woman? And any other information you would like to share! In terms of subject matter, I know planetary sciences would be a great fit because it is my passion. But I don’t know enough about the career to be able to explain to my parents why it could also be a “smart” career decision. They seem to have the idea that there are only about 5 jobs out there and you would be making pennies! Haha. I wish I had something to tell them, but I really am having trouble finding concrete information so any help would be appreciated!

LV, this is a big question! I’ll post it on the front page and ask for input from our readers if that’s okay with you — and in the meantime, check out our library of over 40 profiles of women in planetary science for ideas! Here’s a direct link: https://womeninplanetaryscience.wordpress.com/profiles/

Hi, I’m an undergraduate student majoring in either physics or geology. This summer I’ll have completed the last of the courses that could work toward a degree in either field, and I was wondering which major it would be best for an aspiring planetary scientist to pursue. My plan is to take as many courses as possible in the one I minor in. Thanks!

That is a good question, but hard to answer! Either one as the actual major could serve you well in the future, but it is always hard to tell what exactly you will be doing in the future. 🙂 People do very different things in planetary science, some people do something that is more like chemistry or petrology working with rocks or geo-systems of some kind. Some people do remote sensing, which you still need to know about the materials you are remotely sensing, but physics helps here… for what I do, I need a lot of geology, a good grounding in relatively basic physics, and the more math the better. However, I do not use anything like quantum in my work, which is a higher level course included in physics majors. So at some point when you get to higher level classes they become more specific, and may or may not be useful as to you in the future. In general everything will come in handy in some way, like it might teach you how to use a tool that you will use for something else, so you can’t really go wrong. Someone else might have a different opinion, and if I do I hope they post it here!
~Kelsi

I’m a bit removed from undergrad, but I think you’d do well with either degree (Kelsi has some good advice) – I have a physics undergrad, but did geology for my graduate work. Having the physics helped a lot, and I was able to use some work with a planetary scientist to count for required research credits. Grad schools will look at your transcripts and not just your degrees, too.

You should consider what upper level classes might be useful for you and what types of studies interest you in planetary science – I ended up working in spectroscopy/remote sensing, so a physics major (with the required computer programming course) was really useful. It might not have been if I had ended up wanted to look at geochemistry or geomorphologic mapping. If one of the majors has required research projects (and the other doesn’t), that one might be a better choice as well.

There really isn’t a quick answer here – I think that’s the short version!

The Planetary Exploration Group at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, MD is now accepting applications for summer 2011 internships. The deadline is Feb. 7, 2011 and internships are 10 weeks in duration. Must be an undergraduate to apply. See https://aplapp.com for descriptions of potential projects. Any student interested in applying for either or both of the MESSENGER-Mercury or the Dawn-Vesta planetary geology
internships is encouraged to Dr. Nancy Chabot (nancy.chabot@jhuapl.edu) or Dr. David Blewett (Dave.Blewett@jhuapl.edu) directly.

First off, this is a great website. I really enjoy reading the interviews with the role models and appreciate all the resources that are posted. I have a couple questions, as an undergrad, that I would like to ask. I welcome answers from anyone who is willing to help. Thanks in advance.

1. I’m attending a university that doesn’t offer a planetary science degree. I’m currently in the department of astronomy/astrophysics, but am considering changing to geology. I enjoy both astronomy and geology very much, hence my interest in planetary science. After some research on the dismal outlook of grad school, post doc, and employment in the field of astronomy/astrophysics, I’m seriously considering changing to geology, which appears to have a brighter future for grads. Is an undergraduate degree in geology optimal for pursuing a graduate program in planetary science? Should I consider double majoring in geology/astronomy, given that I’m somewhat torn between the two, or would that be a waste of time and money?

2. After becoming disenchanted at the grim odds at a successful future in astronomy/astrophysics, I’m curious to know if a future in planetary science is more stable. I’ve found abundant sources stating that geology holds a bright future for graduates, in contrast to astro. I haven’t found resources on planetary science. Is a degree/career in planetary science more comparable to that of traditional geology, or astronomy/astrophysics?

I’m a graduate student in planetary science and geology so I may not be able to answer all of your questions, but I will try to answer some of them. I started out on an astrophysics track (BS and MS both in physics) but decided to get a Ph.D. in planetary science–not because I thought that I wouldn’t be able to get a post-doc or permanent job in astrophysics, but because after doing summer internships in both astronomy and planetary science, I realized that I enjoyed planetary science research more. My advice, and all of this is strictly my opinion, would be to stick with what your passion is. I know a good number of professional astronomers who were successful at finding post-doc positions and/or permanent jobs. So, I wouldn’t be discouraged by what the numbers say concerning finding jobs in astrophysics, but would take course, participate in internships and attend conferences that will broaden your knowledge base in geology, planetary science, physics, etc., so that you will be more marketable when it comes to finding a post-doc or a permanent job after graduate school. After all, science is becoming more interdisciplinary and astronomers and planetary scientists study many of the same topics now (terrestrial exoplanets, planet formation, etc.) In answer to your questions:

(1) I think that geology is a wonderful undergraduate degree if you are interested in planetary science. I am currently taking geology courses in grad school as part of my training for planetary science. Additionally, I don’t think that pursuing a double major in astronomy/geology is necessarily a waste of time if you can handle it and if that’s really what you want to do. I certainly wish that I’d at least taken more geology courses as an undergrad! If you are concerned about the amount of time and money that a double major might take, maybe you could keep your major in astronomy but take lots of geology courses as electives? This would still give you a broad knowledge base in both areas; plus, it seems like you enjoy them both, so why not?

(2) I think that whether a degree in planetary science is more comparable to a degree in traditional geology or a degree in astrophysics depends on where you go to graduate school and what type of research you do. Depending on whether you study fault scarps on Mars, or develop models for terrestrial planet formation, will require different coursework in grad school. The first may require more geology, while the second might require some astronomy coursework. Have you done any summer internships in either astrophysics or planetary science? They are a great way to determine which track better suits you.

Thanks, Lynnae, so much for all the information. I have a lot to consider. I haven’t done any research yet. I worked full time while attending the first few years of college part time. So basically, I got all of my gen ed and Calc, Diff Eq, Physics, Chemistry, etc. done before now entering a full time course load. I’ve been discussing this with my advisor, and have been reading up on all the different research that the faculty are involved in at my university, both in the Physics dept. and the Geology dept. I really like doing math and physics, but I’m finding that I’m far more interested in Geology research. I think there is plenty of math and physics in the field of Geology for me, and am pretty sure I’m going to make the switch. Again, thank you so much for your advice!

The Center for Research and Exploration in Space Science and Technology (CRESST) partnership is planning to select between six and fifteen students, on a competitive basis, to participate in summer internships on-site at NASA Goddard Space Flight Center for the summer of 2011. These are nominally 10-week paid internships for primarily undergraduate level college students. The standard internship period for 2011 will be June 6th through August 12th. The deadline for applications is February 7th, 2011.

The 10-week NASA Academy summer program is now taking applications from undergraduate and beginning graduate students in the sciences, math, and engineering. Deadline: January 18, 2011.

The Academies are intensive educational programs emphasizing group activities, teamwork, research, and creativity. The curriculum balances direct contact with science and engineering R & D with an awareness of the managerial, political, financial, social and human issues faced by aerospace professionals. Included are seminars, informal discussions, evening lectures, supervised research, visits to other NASA Centers and facilities, group project/s, tours, posters/presentations, and assessment. Additionally, most weekends are filled with group activities, team building and off-site trips. One free weekend is scheduled.

The Academy is not a 9-5 summer research internship program. It is a rigorous, immersive experience that will challenge you. The academy is a space-themed program of high learning about NASA, its projects and collaborations with aerospace industry, and academia, with very little down time, but a busy, exciting summer that you will not forget.

The Academies have separate focus areas of leadership, robotics, aeronatics, space and planetary science, and propulsion. Please see the website to learn more about the Academies at each center: Ames (CA), Marshall (AL), Glenn (OH), and Goddard (MD).

The Center for Meteorite Studies at Arizona State University is pleased to announce the 2010 application opportunity for the Nininger Meteorite Award for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing research in meteoritical sciences.

The Nininger Meteorite Award recognizes outstanding student achievement in the meteoritical sciences as embodied by an original research paper. Papers must cover original research conducted by the student and must have been written, submitted or published between November 13, 2009 and November 15, 2010.

The 2010 Nininger Award application deadline is November 15, 2010. Applicants must be the first, but not sole, author of the paper and must be studying at an educational institution in the United States.

The Nininger Award recipient receives $1000 and an engraved plaque commemorating the honor. Further information about the Nininger Award and paper submission instructions are located on the Center for Meteorite Studies website:

The goal of the Lloyd V. Berkner Space Policy Internship program is to provide promising undergraduate and graduate students with the opportunity to work in the area of civil space research policy in the nation’s capital, under the aegis of the National Academy of Sciences/National Research Council’s (NAS/NRC’s) Space Studies Board (SSB).

Established in 1958 to serve as the focus of the interests and responsibilities in space research for the NAS/NRC, the SSB provides an independent, authoritative forum for information and advice on all aspects of space science and applications, and it serves as the focal point within the NAS/NRC for activities on space research. It oversees advisory studies (including the on-going decadal surveys in astronomy and astrophysics, planetary science, life and microgravity sciences, and solar and space physics) and program assessments, facilitates international research coordination, and promotes communications on space science and science policy between the research community, the federal government, and the interested public. The SSB also serves as the U.S. National Committee for the International Council for Science Committee on Space Research (COSPAR).

The Lloyd V. Berkner Space Policy Internships, named after the first chair of the SSB, are offered twice annually. The SSB is now accepting applications from undergraduate and graduate students for its autumn 2010 program. The deadline for applications is June 14, 2010. Successful candidates will be contacted no later than July 2, 2010.

NASA is seeking to engage university students, both undergraduate and graduate students, to conduct activities that are designed to encourage undergraduate and graduate students to participate in NASA’s Space Science educational activities and to help generate excitement about NASA scientific discoveries in space science (astrophysics, planetary science and heliophysics).

Requirements
• Must be U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old as of January 1, 2010, and in an institution of higher learning that is a member of the state Space Grant Consortium http://national.spacegrant.org/info/web.html
• Full time student- graduate or undergraduate

Awards
• Up to 50 students will be selected for a one-year award.
• A stipend of $2,000 will be provided for conducting the recipient’s proposed activities
• A reimbursement of up to $600 will be provided for materials, supplies, and travel expenses for the execution of their activities.

It is the first time I’ve come across this forum and it seems really fascinating! I have a BS in physics and an MS in Astronomy from the “Swinbure Astronomy Online” program. My main subject of interest is extrasolar planets. My Master’s degree is course based and I am currently trying to enter a research program in a local university therefore I am afraid leaving the country to take part in any of the above programs is not currently an option for me. So i was wondering if you possibly new of any online opportunities as well?

Program Description
Our program promotes, educates, and encourages young women to pursue careers in the STEM fields. Students gain valuable knowledge and professional skills through mentorship and independent learning.Seminars are also scheduled throughout the summer in various STEM disciplines. Our program allows women seeking careers in STEM to explore and develop skills that can be applied across all disciplines. Students also have opportunities and are encouraged to take advantage of the unique cultural and social activities Washington DC has to offer.

Eligible Applicants
Our program is intended for outstanding female undergraduate students who are members of groups currently under-represented in the STEM disciplines including individuals of African American, Latino/Hispanic, Native American, and Pacific Islander descent.

The program is designed and designated as a 10-week work experience between May and August. Students Receive a $3,500 stipend for the ten-week program.

The USRA Scholarship Program provides college scholarships to students who have shown a career interest in the physical sciences or engineering with an emphasis on space research or space science education.

Eligibility:
– Full-time undergraduate students attending a 4-year accredited college or university
– Completed at least two (2) years of college credits by the time the award is received
– US citizens

Criteria
– Expressed interest in space research and/or space science education
– Majoring in the physical sciences or engineering
– In good academic standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.50

The deadline has passed for 2010 but keep this scholarship in mind for next year…

The Dr. Robert H. Goddard Memorial Scholarship
The National Space Club awards a $10,000 scholarship each year, in memory of Dr. Robert H. Goddard, America’s rocket pioneer. The scholarship is presented at the Goddard Memorial Dinner each spring, for the following academic year. The award is given to stimulate the interest of talented students in the opportunity to advance scientific knowledge through space research and exploration

Eligibility:
– U.S. citizen,
– At least in the junior year of an accredited university
– Intention of pursuing undergraduate or graduate studies in science or engineering during the interval of the scholarship

Application materials:
– Official transcript
– Letters of recommendation from faculty
– Accomplishments demonstrating personal qualities of creativity and leadership
– Scholastic plans that would lead to future participation in some phase of the aerospace sciences and technology
– Proven past research and participation in space-related science and engineering
– Personal need is considered, but is not controlling

NASA seeks highly motivated advanced undergraduate and early graduate students for participation in a summer 2010 research program in Earth system science using its DC-8 flying laboratory. The Student Airborne Research Program (SARP), is managed by the National Suborbital Education and Research Center.

Students will acquire hands-on research experience in all aspects of a scientific campaign, using a major NASA resource for studying Earth system processes, calibration and validation of space-borne observations, and prototyping instruments for possible satellite missions. Students will operate instruments onboard the DC-8 aircraft to sample atmospheric gases and to image land and water surfaces in multiple spectral bands.

Deadline
March 12, 2010

Eligibility
– Full-time student at an accredited US college or university
– Women and minorities are encouraged to apply
– Applicants should have a strong academic background in disciplines relevant to the Earth system, including the physical, chemical, or biological sciences, or engineering

Benefits
– $2500 stipend
– NSERC will provide travel to and from California and living expenses while in California.

Application materials should include:
– 2 page personal statement describing the student’s interests in pursuing research in the Earth sciences and other special qualifications
– Letter of recommendation from a professor or advisor familiar with the student’s abilities.
– Official undergraduate and/or graduate transcripts.

In 1956 the Society of Exploration Geophysicists began a program of encouraging the establishment of scholarship funds by companies and individuals engaged or interested in the field of geophysics. SEG saw the need for a more appropriate organization and caused the SEG Foundation to be organized.

Eligibility:
-A student must intend to pursue a college curriculum directed toward a career in applied geophysics or a closely related field, such as geosciences, physics, geology, or earth and environmental sciences.
-A student must meet one of the following requirements: (a) Attending high school and planning to enter college next fall; (b) An undergraduate or graduate college student whose grades are above average.

The Utrecht University (The Netherlands) is offering a summer course on Mars surface dynamics and landforms related to water.

Deadline: April 15, 2010

Application: Online

Eligibility: 2nd or 3rd year undergraduate students in Physical Geography, Geology, Environmental Science, Civil Engineering or in any other natural science that are interested in learning about the surface planet Mars and its hydrological past. It requires a basic (secondary-school) training in physics and mathematics.

Course Aims: The aims of this course are (i) to introduce planet Mars, (ii) to develop a thorough understanding of fluvial and deltaic morphodynamics on Earth and Mars, and (iii) to infer the implications for past hydrology and climate of Mars. We believe that a combination of dedicated lectures, literature and hands-on observation (image and elevation analysis), experimentation (creating self-organising landscapes with water and sand) and physics-based modelling (in a spreadsheet) by the student greatly enhances the acquired understanding of earth- and planetary science. The end product of this course will be an extended abstract on a case study in the style of the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference.

Hi Fidaali, I hope the explanation I provided below will help push you in the right direction. If you have any additional questions you can email me at adamptz@gmail.com.

The first thing you may have noticed from the USRP application is they are looking to see if you have any educational or work experience. I’m not sure what type of experience you have but what I believe to have worked for me was that I had previous research experience in planetary science. I started my essay with an explanation of my research (where I conducted it, why it is important, how I was doing the research, where my results were heading at the time, what I had hope to show, etc.).

However, most undergrads don’t have research experience. As a past USRP intern, I can say that not all of selected USRP interns had research experience. Our backgrounds and education levels varied. What I would suggest is to use this essay as a way to highlight any leadership positions you have held in the past. For example, the second half of the essay I focused on a job that I held throughout my undergraduate career. I also touched on the fact that during my employment I was given several leadership opportunities. With that I discussed challenges that were presented and how I overcame them. I would do the same if you have any volunteer experience or held any positions in a school club.

Another thing that might be interesting is to relate how your lectures or labs have prepared you for a future career in your field of study. I had taken a geology field course and was able write about that experience and how it affected my way of critical thinking.

From what I understand the USRP mentors look for applications that have specific coursework completed or knowledge with certain programs. Be honest when listing any computer skills and include your level of expertise.

This question is on behalf of Amanda Damptz. My name is Fidaali Udawala and I am currently in the process for applying for the NASA Undergraduate Student Research Program and would like to create good essay paragraphs that will enhance my application. Is there any way to open the paragraphs that will grab the readers attention when the mentor or hiring manager reads my application so that I can be selected?

The Systems Teaching Institute (STI) is offering a 10-12 week summer research program for graduate students in fields relevant to NASA Ames research. Selected students will gain hands-on experience working with cutting-edge research and development teams, an increased understanding of the NASA mission, and mentoring in research management skills. Students will be selected based on their research interests and career goals and how well they complement existing NASA projects. Potential research projects are in the areas of Nanotechnology, Information Technology and Computer Science, Aerospace Systems, Earth Sciences, Biotechnology and Fundamental Space Biology.

Deadline – Janurary 31, 2010

Eligibility:
– Undergraduates accepted into a Master’s or Doctoral program
– Acquired skills that might be of special interest
– Prior educational background that shows interdisciplinary knowledge
– Specialized career goals directly related to NASA’s mission

Benefits:
– Pay/Salary: $19- $25 an hour, commensurate with tasks and experience.
– Lodging: The STI offers a stipend which covers 50 – 100% of the lodging expenses for up to 12 weeks.

What you will need to prepare:
– Official academic transcripts or letter of acceptance from your graduate institution
– Official academic transcripts from your undergraduate institution
– A completed application form
– One letter of recommendation from a professor or research advisor
– A cover letter that includes a description of your career goals, interests, and/or special skills

Undergraduate students are encouraged to apply to the NASA Academies at Ames, Goddard, Glenn, and Marshall. This intensive summer program include seminars, informal discussions, evening lectures, supervised research, visits to other NASA Centers, group projects, tours, posters/presentations, and assessments. Most weekends are filled with group activities, team building and off-site trips. One free weekend is scheduled. Academy funding comes from various sources. The Space Grant Consortia (SGC) pays the students stipends and travel expenses. The Centers bear the cost of staffing the Academy, providing housing and board, and field trip expenses.

The Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) offers two different 10-week summer internship program. Summer Interns work one-on-one with a scientist at the LPI or at the NASA Johnson Space Center on a research project of current interest in lunar and planetary science. These programs offers a $5,000.00 stipend plus $1000.00 U.S. travel stipend, or $1,500 foreign travel reimbursement for foreign interns. Eligible applicants include college undergraduates with at least 50 semester hours of credit interested in pursuing a career in STEM fields.

Deadline – January 22nd 2010
Notification – March 2nd 2010

What you will need to prepare:
Online application from
Electronic Letters of reference, three required
Official transcripts must be received by LPI no later than Jan. 22nd

Unfortunately this application does host the save as you work format. Be sure to go over you application thoroughly before you submit. Essays included: provide a brief biographical sketch, provide a description of academic goals, career plans, and scientific interests, and provide a brief summary of why you wish to participate in the intern program.

If you can put together the application for this scholarship in less than I week I highly recommend it! The Department of Defense (DoD) is offering the Science, Mathematics And Research for Transformation (SMART) Scholarship for Service Program. It is an opportunity for students pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines to receive a full scholarship and be gainfully employed upon degree completion.

What you will need to prepare:
— Online application
— Submit official transcripts
— Upload Resume/CV
— References (two)
— Prepare a summary of your current educational program objectives and your long-range professional goals. (minimum of 1500 characters, including spaces)

NASA offers a variety of opportunities for undergraduate students. Sophomores, juniors or seniors who are working towards a STEM degree are invited to apply to NASA’s Undergraduate Student Research Program (USRP). USRP is mentored internship program that is offered year round for a 10-week summer session or a 15-week spring/fall session. The program offers a generous stipend ($6,000 10-week session or $9,000 15-week session) plus one round-trip airfare or ground transportation allowance to and from the NASA Host Center. According to the USRP Workforce Development Update, September 2009, 30% of USRP interns are female.

Like most internships applications, this one can be labor intensive. Essay questions include: Why do you want to work for NASA? How might this USRP experience help you in your chosen discipline? Describe any other educational and/or work experiences you feel would enhance your application. Don’t let this discourage you from applying! If you are lacking research experience express what this internship might mean in terms of gaining knowledge and experience that will further your career.

Eligibility Requirements
— U.S. Citizenship: permanent residents or other visa categories are not accepted.
— Classified as a Sophomore, Junior or Senior before the expected commencement of the internship session.
— Academic major or demonstrated coursework concentration in engineering, mathematics, computer science, or physical sciences or life sciences.
— Demonstrated strong interest/commitment to one of the above career fields or disciplines (e.g., science/math/engineering fairs, clubs, or awards; tutoring/mentoring; internships or other related experience).
— Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a scale of 4.0
— Students may apply for a session within their first year after completion of a Bachelor’s degree (1st year graduate) but they must have participated in a previous NASA experience.
— Students that have participated in a past USRP internship may only participate in USRP one time in a given calendar year.

Women in Planetary Science

Planetary science, roughly, is the study of the planets, moons, comets, asteroids, atmospheres, and dust -- everything in the solar system besides the Earth and Sun.

Women make up half the bodies in the solar system. Why not half the scientists?

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51+ Women!

In this series we feature the work and life of amazing women in planetary science -- join us to read about new advances in planetary science and who's making them. We invite you to participate by contacting us. Please do not hesitate to volunteer yourself or someone you know to be interviewed!
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